Construction

Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon says the study shows employees are less likely to come forward after recent allegations of retaliation against Hanford workers who raised safety concerns.

By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOSAssociated Press

SPOKANE — Few of the U.S. Department of Energy workers who are helping build a plant to treat the most dangerous radioactive wastes at a nuclear site in Washington state feel they can openly challenge management decisions, according to a report obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.

The survey conducted by the Energy Department shows only 30 percent of the agency's employees at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation feel they can question their bosses.